A Touch of Snow: Destiny in the Shadows, #3

By Maggie Lynn Heron-Heidel

'Twas the night before Christmas in the mountains of MoiRai,

A snow leopard lingered on the streets under a snowy sky,

For her three kittens were trapped in a ceiling and nobody would've guessed

That Dantenn would be run ragged when Michael unwittingly lets in their holiday guest...

Fans of Destiny in the Shadows will rejoice with this heartwarming Christmas tale, providing a glimpse into the mysterious village of MoiRai. Told from fan favorite, Dantenn's point of view, it will bring a smile to your face and perhaps a few tears to your eyes this Christmas. It is best enjoyed if you have read War Machine and Slave to War first since this is set three years after the events of book two in the series. 

 

Praise for Destiny in the Shadows, the Award Winning Science Fiction Series - " Absolutely WAR MACHINE is a well written novel that one cannot stop reading until the very last page - and then thirsts for a sequel! I especially love how the characters play off of and interact with one another throughout, especially given their roles on a journey that could prove to be a death mission in a dark world of deception. There is a balanced essence of danger, compassion, romance, and even humor, all elements not easy to successfully combine. Maggie Lynn Heron-Heidel nailed it with all the skills of a seasoned writer. I cannot wait to read more from this budding, brilliant author! " - A Goodreads Review

 

*Ten percent of all proceeds from this novel go toward helping child and sex trafficking victims in Cambodia through Agape International Missions. - Q&A with Science Fiction and Fantasy Author Maggie Lynn Heron-Heidel - What inspired you to write this novel? -This series you mean? Well, all one has to do is look around at our current times. Looking at the government of my fictional city Nacin, it very much echoes the governments of the world today. We see deadly consequences of corruption and greed that only seem to affect the average citizen, while the politicians sit in their golden palaces plotting their next move. It leaves our soldiers and policemen between them and the public, facing the scrutiny that should fall on those in power. Another layer of inspiration comes from human trafficking. It is a worldwide problem that I feel needs attention. Slaves and sex trafficking are definitely not a thing of the past. It is a daily occurrence that is virtually ignored by the general populace. Where can one learn more about the human trafficking industry and how to help victims affected by it? - There a number of charities such as Agape International Missions who specialize in helping victims with recovery and combating the industry. In fact, ten percent of all proceeds from this book go to their ministry to combat human trafficking. What age group would you feel would enjoy this series best? - Due to the violence and mature themes, I would say a minimum of ninth grade would be best. After that, I believe it is inclusive of all ages.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Maggie Lynn Heron-Heidel
• Release date: Jan 30, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224985050

Maggie Lynn Heron-Heidel

Maggie Lynn Heron-Heidel is an urban fantasy and science fiction author. Her novel War Machine won silver and gold medals in the 2017 Virtual Fantasy Con Awards and the Swan Princes won silver for Best Fairytale in 2018. Cursed Hart was a semi-finalist for best urban fantasy 2019. She lives in the USA with her adopted husky Ser Mishka who may or may not be a dormant wolf shifter. maggielynnheronheidel.com

Book preview

‘Twas the evening before Christmas in the mountains of MoiRai, two apprentices were sparring and one with a blackened eye...

The air was still for the barest of seconds as the two surveyed each other, preparing to fight. With the practice swords made of polypropylene instead of metal, they couldn’t cut each other. But they could still beat the hell out of each other. Lord knew they wanted to.

Max struck first, the dull thunk of the plastic sounding as the two blades met. His opponent swung with equal ferocity, looking to regain his reputation after his previous humiliating defeat.

As the two of them circled, ten other apprentices cheered them on from the sides of the room, having shown up for the rematch. The brightly lit training room was aglow with their anticipation, the energy infectious.

I watched from the side of the mats, monitoring them closely. With the other boy’s master absent, it was up to me to referee. While Max’s opponent Choi was two years older, he wasn’t nearly as quick on his feet. Or as strong. All indicators pointed to an easy victory for my apprentice.

Master Shenyari stood next to me, her hawk-like gaze trained on the progressing fight. Maintaining her position as the village sword master and blade maker, she monitored the practice round with impenetrable focus. The grizzled older woman stood impressively tall next to me, her katana and wakizashi sheathed and slung over her back. Her silk robes were a silvery grey to reflect her rank, mirroring the color of her hair.

A reluctant grunt of approval escaped her, watching Max as he rolled to avoid a vicious blow from his opponent. He is progressing well, she muttered grudgingly out of the corner of her mouth. Her voice was low, barely audible over the continued jeering and catcalling of the spectating apprentices. He wants to impress his adopted mother, wherever she might be; eh, Dantenn?

A flare of pride swelled through me, hearing that Max had impressed her. Her sharp blue eyes flickered up to me. Any word?

Not one. Sierr had vanished. Nobody had heard a word from her. Other than the continued cyberattacks on Nacin, no one knew what she was up to. All I had to go on was a vague idea of where she was hiding, knowing what was at stake. Her anonymity was exactly how she wanted it, protecting the one thing that mattered to her.

With my noncommittal shrug, Shenyari disappointedly returned her attention to the match. Considering she was the closest thing to a mother that Sierr ever had, having been her mentor, she was equally unhappy with Sierr’s self-imposed exodus. Choi, you’re leaving your guard vulnerable! Stop being lazy and move your ass!

I was more than glad that Choi wasn’t my apprentice. The kid was a known bully to the rest of the students and had already accrued himself a brutal reputation at age ten. It was to his personal benefit that he was built like a tank. He spat on the ground in response to her critique, keeping his beady, dark eyes dead set with enmity on Max.

Personally I wished that Max would knock the kid on his rear again like he had the day before. Choi’s black eye had come due to his own incompetence, getting socked with the blunt end of the practice sword.

Not much love lost between these two, Shenyari muttered dryly to me, watching as Max dodged a vicious blow toward his head. Whatever Choi hissed in his direction had Max’s eyes narrowing into slits. Especially since yours keeps kicking Choi’s – whoa.

Surprising the both of us, Max threw his sword down and threw himself fists first at Choi with a ferocious screech. And as everyone knew, Max usually had the control of a saint over his temper. The rest of the kids cheered, forming a ring around the two of them.

I darted forward as the two boys rolled around the mats, fists flying. Despite Choi’s superior size, he was on the losing end of the brawl, particularly as Max punched him in the eye and then attempted to stuff his fist in his mouth to knock out Choi’s teeth. It was especially in his best interest that I nabbed Max by the shirt, hauling him off.

Break it up! I barked, grabbing him by the arms. The rest of the apprentices formed a ring around us, watching with wide eyes as he struggled to break out of my grip.

You take that back! Max roared as he unsuccessfully continued to try and seize Choi despite my best efforts.

I don’t have to do nuthin’! Choi snapped back, never the sharpest knife in the drawer, continuing to antagonize his rival.

I set Max on his feet and shoved him toward the door. You – walk it off, I ordered. And you – shut up!

Choi paused with his mouth open, looking to start round two of the fight. While Max ducked his head respectfully to me, his eyes remained fixed hatefully on Choi. I prodded him off the mat with little effort, pointing toward the door.

His only response was to skulk off as directed, hands fisted in his pockets. I shifted my glare to Choi, seeing a second rapidly blooming shiner on his good eye. Well? What did you say to provoke that?

Despite his bravado, he still gulped under my glare and said nothing. Shenyari leaned over behind me, armed crossed. I’d ‘fess up if I were you, she enforced, her tone echoing my low growl.

I have full authority to put you on toilet duty, I dangled, relishing the idea in my mind. To clean every lavatory in the entire village for Christmas.

Considering I was second in line to be Master of our nation, he knew I had full right to enforce that threat. He grumbled, Said that his mom doesn’t want him.

Ouch. Now I knew exactly why Max had reacted so violently. It hit